Dominican Republic News

Check out this amazing video taken recently as a juvenile whale shark swims lazily alongside the Freestyle Catamaran giving all on board a wonderful treat. The passengers are clearly thrilled with this amazing close up and personal encounter and why wouldn't they be as The Discovery Channel comes to life right before their eyes. Once in a lifetime experiences like this one create vacation memories that last a lifetime. Click here for more information about the Freestyle Catamaran excursion from Playa Dorada on the north coast of the Dominican Republic.

Planning a vacation to the Dominican Republic? Why not impress your friends by taking the time to learn Salsa? We guarantee that you'll have a lot of fun in the process. Here's how it works, pass by your local liquor store and treat yourself to a nice bottle of Dominican Rum with either a bottle of Coke or Sprite. Watch the Salsa Dance Class video and practice with your other half. Once feel that you're getting the hang of it, proceed to open the rum and prepare a couple of Cuba Libres (Coke & Rum) or Santo Libres (Sprite & Rum). Turn the heating up to try and replicate our wonderful tropical weather, download or find on Youtube some Marc Anthony Salsa music or similar, turn it up (very important), have a couple of drinks, let yourselves go & practice what you just learned. We guarantee you'll have lots of fun, plus you'll be learning something really cool, in addition to impressing family, friends, fellow travelers and locals. Not to mention what it might do for your love life...:-) Learn to dance Salsa here:

The 2012 Macao Surf Invitational Competition will be held on Macao Beach from Friday 24th to Sunday 26th February. A schedule of events will coincide with the main surf competition such as live music, skateboarding demonstrations, and concludes with a beach party on Sunday 26th at the very cool Soles Beach Bar and Restaurant in Bavaro. All surfers and spectators welcome! Schedule of events as follows:

• Friday 24th February 7.00pm, subscriptions to surf event and live music from Justin James at the Bali Cana restaurant, Los Corales, Bavaro. Cost to register 300 Dominican Pesos.
• Saturday 25th February, elimination rounds, Macao Beach - 8.30am to 5.00pm
• Saturday 25th February - Junior skateboard competition, 6.00pm Coast Riders Skate Park, Plaza San Juan, Bavaro
• Sunday 26th February - Surf finals, Macao Beach - 7.30am onwards
• Sunday 26th February - Presentation ceremony and Beach Party, 8.00pm Soles Beach Bar & Restaurant

Saturday 18th February sees the return of the biggest beach party in the Dominican Republic and the entire Caribbean! Barcelo Rum proudly presents Desalia 2012 which is now in it's 5th year and attracts party goers from all over the planet. The event which will be held on Bavaro beach (Punta Cana) caters for approximately six thousand people, with the best international DJ's on the planet playing some amazing sounds. The weather forecast is looking very favorable, so you'll be able to dance the night away until the following morning under a myriad of stars on a powder white sand beach. All party goers must be dressed in white. Guaranteed to be an amazing event, tickets cost U$50.00 and are available at Danny's Sports Bar in the Los Corales are of Bavaro. If you are in Bavaro right now, don't miss this once in a lifetime opportunity to attend one of the best beach parties in the world.

If you are heading out to the Dominican Republic, chances are that you will try our wonderful Presidente Beer. A firm favorite amongst locals and visitors alike, Presidente is a light flavorful beer designed specifically to quench any tropical thirst. But as with most things, there is a right way and a wrong way to truly enjoy a Presidente beer. Any self respecting bar tender or beer connoisseur here will tell you that the Dominican Republic's favorite beer is best enjoyed with what is known locally as a "vestida de novia". Roughly translated this means "bridal gown" and refers to the frosted coating a perfectly prepared Presidente beer will "wear" the moment the chilled beer hits the tropical warmth. To help explain what we mean just check the image.